Tehama County man finds bear in his driveway

It wasn't the story about Tehama County's teen alcohol problem that shocked Ralph Spuhler when he stepped out to grab his paper Monday morning - it was the black bear in his driveway.

"He was a monster," Spuhler said.

It was the first black bear Spuhler remembers seeing in his 17 years living at the corner of Live Oak and Happy Trails in the Reeds Creek area. He said his wife has lived in the area for nearly 40 years without a bear encounter.

Kyle Orr, a public information officer with California Department of Fish and Game said, while there's no way of knowing what may have drawn that particular bear to visit a populated area, wildfires have the potential to displace animals.

That's what Spuhler believes led the bear to his property and uncomfortably close to his pond and cherished collection of koi.

Spuhler said he stopped dead in his tracks as he locked eyes with the animal, then slowly started walking backward to his house.

According to Orr, Spuhler was near perfect when it comes to what the DFG recommends people do during a bear encounter.

"If you encounter a bear, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear as large as possible," the DFG's brochure on bear precautions recommends.

The brochure is part of the department's Keep Me Wild campaign and is available along with other tips at www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild.

Orr said there are about 35,000 black bears in California and the best way to keep them away is to keep edibles and other items with odors stored properly

Spuhler's incident also serves as a reminder to keep a close watch on children and to make noise while hiking.

If you are attacked by a black bear, Orr said you should fight back.

Spuhler wasn't taking that chance Monday.

After returning to his home, he said he waited 10 minutes before going back out for the paper.